Animal Ordinances in Sammamish, WA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Sammamish, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Sammamish allows backyard hens under its zoning code (SMC 21A.65.020, Animal regulations - Small animals). Reported limits are about 3 hens on lots under half an acre, with density tied to coop size on larger lots, and structures housing animals set back at least 10 feet from property lines. No city permit is reported for small numbers.
Sammamish Chickens and Backyard Poultry
Few RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
In Sammamish parks, dogs must be leashed (no longer than 16 feet) except in designated off-leash areas. The city also adopts King County's animal code, which treats a dog 'at large' off the owner's premises as a public nuisance. Beaver Lake Park has an official off-leash dog area.
Sammamish Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
No Sammamish-specific breed ban (such as a pit bull ban) was found in the city code or its adopted King County animal code. Washington state law (RCW 16.08.110) limits breed-specific dog laws and requires any breed-based regulation to include a good-behavior exemption. Dangerous-dog rules apply by conduct, not breed.
Sammamish Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
No Sammamish-specific beekeeping ordinance was found in the city code, and a statewide survey of Washington beekeeping ordinances did not list Sammamish or unincorporated King County. Backyard beekeeping is governed mainly by Washington state law: hives must use movable frames and beekeepers must register apiaries with the state Department of Agriculture under RCW 15.60.
Sammamish Beekeeping Rules
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Through its adoption of King County Code Title 11 (SMC 11.05), Sammamish prohibits harboring exotic animals such as dangerous snakes, nonhuman primates, bears, non-domesticated cats and dogs (including wolf hybrids), and crocodilians, unless an exception under RCW 16.30.020 applies. Such animals are subject to impoundment.
Sammamish Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
No standalone Sammamish ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife was located. The adopted King County animal code prohibits leaving food out in ways that create a public nuisance, and the city's park rules restrict feeding within parks. Black bears and other wildlife occur locally, so attracting wildlife can trigger nuisance enforcement.
Sammamish Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Keeping livestock and large animals (horses, cattle, goats) in Sammamish is governed by the city's zoning code (SMC Title 21A) on a lot-size basis, carried over from King County's framework. Letting livestock run at large is prohibited under the adopted King County animal code, which designates the area as a stock-restricted area.
Sammamish Livestock and Large Animals
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Sammamish addresses animal hoarding through the cruelty, neglect, and care provisions of the adopted King County code (SMC 11.05). Owners must provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care; serious violations are misdemeanors, and a violator can be barred from owning or residing with animals for up to two years.
Sammamish Animal Hoarding and Cruelty
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Sammamish has no flat household pet cap of its own. Through its adopted King County code, four or more dogs or cats at a residence triggers a hobby kennel or cattery license, with the total tied to lot size (up to 5 on mid-size lots, capped at 20 on large acreage, no more than 3 unaltered).
Sammamish Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Cats in Sammamish are covered by the adopted King County code (SMC 11.05): cats eight weeks and older must be licensed with Regional Animal Services, keeping four or more cats requires a hobby cattery license, and non-juvenile cats must generally be spayed or neutered. There is no citywide cat leash or indoor-only mandate.
Sammamish Cat Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sammamish city rules.
Animal Ordinances in King County →